Pressure activated remote microphone

Abstract

A pressure activated remote microphone is provided within a communication system ( 100 ). A face mask ( 102 ) incorporates a remote microphone ( 118 ) and one or more pressure sensor(s) ( 122 ). When a user puts on the mask ( 102 ), the remote microphone ( 118 ) is enabled in response to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensors ( 122 ). When the mask ( 102 ) is removed, the remote microphone ( 118 ) is disabled in response to the change in pressure sensed by the pressure sensor(s) ( 122 ).

1. A communication device, comprising:
 a mask; 
 a remote microphone coupled to the mask; and 
 a pressure sensor coupled to the mask for controlling the remote microphone, wherein the remote microphone of the mask is disabled in response to the mask pressure being at ambient air pressure for a predetermined amount of time. 
 
     
     
       2. The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein microphone audio is routed based on pressure sensed by the pressure sensor. 
     
     
       3. The communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the mask comprises a breathing mask. 
     
     
       4. The communication device of  claim 3 , wherein the breathing mask comprises a self contained breathing apparatus face mask. 
     
     
       5. A communication system, comprising:
 a radio; 
 a mask; 
 a remote microphone coupled to the mask, the remote microphone communicating with the radio; and 
 at least one pressure sensor coupled to the mask for controlling the remote microphone, wherein the remote microphone of the mask is disabled and a microphone at the radio is enabled in response to the mask pressure being at ambient air pressure for a predetermined amount of time. 
 
     
     
       6. The communication system of  claim 5 , wherein the radio comprises a portable radio. 
     
     
       7. The communication system of  claim 6 , wherein the remote microphone comprises a battery powered remote microphone and the remote microphone communicates wirelessly with the portable radio. 
     
     
       8. The communication system of  claim 5 , wherein the remote microphone audio is routed based on pressure in the mask. 
     
     
       9. The communication system of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor enables and disables the remote microphone in response to a predetermined pressure change in the mask. 
     
     
       10. The communication system of  claim 5 , wherein the remote microphone is disabled after a predetermined time delay in which a pressure difference between the inside of the mask and the outside of the mask is no longer present. 
     
     
       11. The communication system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a controller for receiving pressure change inputs from the at least one pressure sensor, the controller enabling and disabling the remote microphone; and 
 a battery for supplying power to the controller, the at least one pressure sensor, and the remote microphone. 
 
     
     
       12. The communication system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a mechanical pressure sensor. 
     
     
       13. The communication system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a digital pressure sensor. 
     
     
       14. The communication system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a plurality of sensors sensing differential pressure. 
     
     
       15. The communication system of  claim 5 , wherein the remote microphone is automatically powered on with an increase in mask pressure over ambient air pressure and the remote microphone is automatically powered off when the mask pressure is equivalent to the ambient air pressure. 
     
     
       16. The communication system of  claim 15 , wherein the remote microphone is automatically powered off when the mask pressure is at ambient air pressure for a predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
       17. The communication system of  claim 16 , wherein the remote microphone audio is transmitted to the radio while the mask pressure is above the ambient air pressure. 
     
     
       18. A communication system, comprising:
 a radio comprising a microphone; 
 a mask for placing on a user's face to form a pressurized seal; 
 a remote microphone coupled to the mask, the remote microphone communicating with the radio; and 
 at least one pressure sensor coupled to the mask for sensing the pressurized seal, wherein in response to the sensed pressurized seal, the remote microphone is turned on, and in response to the mask being removed from the user's face, the remote microphone is turned off and the microphone at the radio is turned on.